The hand signal for pace count is executed by which action?

The hand signal for pace count is executed by which action?

• A. Touching the belt buckle and pointing to ground.
• B. Draw across the throat with the hand.
• C. Tapping the heel of the boot repeatedly with an open hand.
• D. Tapping the back of the helmet.

Answer: (C)

Pace count is communicated silently through a simple, repeatable hand cue that directly ties to the act of taking steps. The action is tapping the heel of the boot with an open hand, done repeatedly. This works well because it’s quick to perform, easy to see over varying terrain, and each tap can represent a counted pace without needing to speak. It’s also unambiguous and avoids misinterpretation, since the open hand and the specific tapping motion are distinct from other signals. Other gestures shown are used for different commands or cues and aren’t the standard way to indicate pace count, so they don’t fit this purpose.

Pace count is communicated silently through a simple, repeatable hand cue that directly ties to the act of taking steps. The action is tapping the heel of the boot with an open hand, done repeatedly. This works well because it’s quick to perform, easy to see over varying terrain, and each tap can represent a counted pace without needing to speak. It’s also unambiguous and avoids misinterpretation, since the open hand and the specific tapping motion are distinct from other signals.

Other gestures shown are used for different commands or cues and aren’t the standard way to indicate pace count, so they don’t fit this purpose.